HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0764.008 2022-2024 P/PG(A
bill No
From: Marilyn Johnson
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2024 8:33 AM
To: Council Testimony Cr?Y� h�
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Subject: Support with reservations Bill 140-24 =
I support bill 140 that states SWD facilities must be open at least 2 days per week. But I have reservaJ:ions_r i
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about the proposed wording.
The bill proposal specifically states in Section 1 that there should be equitable access to essential wte
disposal and recycling services.
However, the proposed wording to be added to the county code does not match the stated goal of the bill
because it does not recognize that there are two county transfer facilities that do not offer any recycling
services: Kalapana and Pa'auilo. You can see this on the county's website:
https://www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/facilities/solid-waste-and-recycling-locations-hours-fees-and-rules
As a resident that uses the Kalapana transfer station, I know that in past years there was cardboard and glass
recycling available at the Kalapana Transfer Station.Those bins were removed about the same time as the
station hours were reduced to lx per week. Now, I must drive to Pahoa to properly recycle my glass and
cardboard. Sadly this extra effort means too many Hwy 137 residents now just throw their glass bottles and
cardboard boxes away at the Kalapana station now that the recycling bins are no longer available there.
Can the proposed wording be changed to include recycling services for, at minimum, Corrugated Cardboard,
Brown Paper Bags, Non-HI-5 Glass Containers?
Here's a suggested revised wording, with my suggested addition underscored:
"Section 20-- . SWD facilities; minimum days of operation.
Any SWD facility used for the disposal, collection, and transfer of household solid
waste, and recycling services for, at minimum, Corrugated Cardboard, Brown Paper Bags, Non-HI-5 Glass
Containers, shall be operated and open to the public for such purposes no less than two days a week."
Finally, I would like to encourage the County Council to do whatever they can to mandate that the county
explore the development of an on-island corrugated cardboard recycling plant. Perhaps the county could
partner with a large corporation that already has the knowledge, such as International Paper, a corporation
that has many recycling plants all across the mainland US.This could bring a new source of jobs and revenue
to our island, and encourage residents to be more interested in recycling.
Thank you,
Marilyn Johnson
Kehena subdivision
Comm. No. .
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